Why is tech giant Apple trying to teach our teachers?
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Loading... - Bahiti Salem
- 19 Jul 2022
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Apple products are already a central part of our lives in so many ways. We use them to work, socialize, monitor our heart rates, pay for things and watch TV.
But did you know they are also involved in teaching school teachers?
The shift to online learning following COVID-19 is not only for students. Teachers now also do a lot of professional development online.
One familiar sounding example of this is Apple Teacher. This is a free professional learning program developed by Apple for school teachers.
Apple Teacher claims to "support and celebrate teachers using Apple products for teaching and learning."
In my new research, I argue Apple Teacher is helping Apple position itself as a global education expert. This move is largely flying under the radar.
What is Apple Teacher?
Apple has sold technology to schools since the early 1980s. It has also had programs geared at teachers using Apple technology since the mid-1990s. But the tech giant now provides teacher professional learning via Apple Teacher, which launched in 2016.
As of 2022, there are more than 100 lessons and tutorials freely available on the Apple Teacher Learning Center. The site promotes a "self-paced journey" and a "great way for schools to offer free professional learning." There are "skill-building tutorials, lesson ideas and inspiration to deepen student learning."
This could be something as simple as how to take a selfie on an excursion. Or it could be how to use coding or augmented reality in a lesson. There are also specific supports for COVID-19 remote learning, with time-saving tips and lesson ideas.
Teachers can complete interactive quizzes on how to use Apple software to earn "badges." If they collect six badges, they are recognized as "Apple Teachers." Read More…
